Page 8

I 'm super comfortable.

My relaxation is complete because I discover I am completely at peace. The rhythm of my breath remained steady while my spine settled comfortably into the mattress.

God, I don't want to move.

The room stayed silent while my muscles remained tense. I realized I was beginning to wake up yet I kept my eyes closed. I wanted nothing more than to return to sleep.

I shift my legs as I attempt to roll to my side in order to bury myself beneath the large bed pillow I know is there. I attempted to move to my side and felt something heavy against my stomach and shoulder.

Despite my confusion I made another attempt which yielded no results. As I clench my eyes while beginning to wake up I rub my hands across my face. I move my right hand downward toward my chest only to strike something solid instead. The sound of a groan causes my eyes to spring open.

What the fuck.

A tuft of hair covers my face while my peripheral vision makes clear this isn't my bedroom. His head begins to shift while his arm rests over my stomach as energy rushes through me.

A sudden electrical surge strikes me sending me to yell "Oh my god!" I push him away from my body by shooting up.

I move quickly to the side without paying attention to my location on the bed which causes me to slide too far and fall onto the floor with a loud thump.

"Ow," I mutter.

I hear his groan coming from above and yet I cannot understand his words.

"What the fuck Jaxon!" I panicked and started rubbing my hip after landing on it which proved to be quite challenging.

"What?" he asked me in a sleepy voice. "Why are you so loud?" "I told you to wake me up!" I complain, finally getting to my feet.

"I was tired," he explained while his face remained pressed to his pillow. While rolling my eyes I remember the moment I woke up. The thought makes me shiver and I wipe my arm and stomach to try to move him away from me.

If you sleep next to me, you must remain on your side. I point at him. He turns his head to face me after shifting his position. You started by moving to the center of my bed.

He states that moving me was impossible because I sleep like a rock. I fold my arms defensively when he delivers a minor insult. Make sure you stay off me when you sleep. I make myself clear. His eyes remain closed as he says, "You were a good pillow."

The statement seemed ambiguous, so I decided it was both complimentary and insulting. "So, you're calling me fat?" I asked him jokingly.

"No." His eyelids fly open, and his gaze settles on me. "I called you comfortably."

I mumble "whatever" while discovering my phone on his desk. I grab my phone from his desk and see the time appear on my screen together with numerous new messages. My brows furrow as I read 1:03. When I looked out the window I noticed the darkness had not yet arrived. That only meant–

"Oh fuck!" I blurt out.

I hear a groan coming from Jaxon. "You're so loud." "Jaxon, get up!" I rush toward the bed.

"Why?"

"Because it's one in the afternoon, dipshit!" I complain.

My tone does not upset him as he remains completely still. I have even stronger reasons to stay in bed.

"I'm being serious–"

He interrupts me with a resentful sound while saying "I know you are." "But school's almost over. There's no point in going now." he reasons.

We still have time to get to her class and I need to finish this once and for all.

Neither of us will benefit from staying in bed. I pushed his shoulder. He rolls over onto his back and fixes his gaze on me. With full determination I stare back at him since I truly want to go to school. He narrows his eyes, so I mimic his look by narrowing mine too.

He responds after several moments of silence.

"Fine," he says shortly.

A breath escapes my lips. Somehow, I was relieved to hear that. Weird. This project needs to be finished. I've had enough of him already. He adds with a yawn that he's doing the talking while sitting up. I look at him before I roll my eyes and say "Whatever." I sigh, turning towards his door.

I leave him behind thinking he's getting up on his own. The pounding rain strikes me by surprise when I reach the bottom of the steps.

Shit.

I look down on my clothes. My outfit consisted of a white T-shirt and shorts. It's not good.

Jaxon's fast descent down the stairs reached my ears and made me think, fuck it. I'll only stay outside in the rain for a brief time.

I step into my shoes and open the front door where a burst of wind rushes into the entryway.

Immediately, I shivered, "It's cold." I seethe through my teeth.

Jaxon walks off leaving me with the poster. I grab the poster and remain standing as I wait for Jaxon to return.

Since we were transporting his car to school, I thought he would need his keys. The sound of metal clinking in the kitchen confirmed my assumption. The shock deepened when he stretched out his hand containing the unexpected item. I stared at the sweatshirt, confused. His present was generous yet unusual given who he was. "Thank you but I don't need it," I responded to his kind gesture. I heard him close the door behind me as I walked out.

I remained standing until the car lights flashed before I quickly ran to the passenger's seat.

As I entered the car I noticed its remarkable cleanliness. His level of cleanliness left me truly impressed.

Jaxon started the car while the door opposite mine closed swiftly. Before noticing the tossed red clothing, I secured the seatbelt over my lap.

After picking up the item I tossed Jaxon with a look. "I said I was fine."

"I know. You continually express how cold you feel during class in Mrs. Lawson' room. he reasons, pulling out of the driveway. As I glanced his way his eyes remained fixed on the road ahead. His reaction to his previous action showed no sign of concern which frightened me.

After settling into my seat, I notice my lack of emotional response yet understand I'm analyzing it excessively. No one else would have said that but he saying it feels strange.

As the rain beats against the dashboard I start picking up my sweatshirt which rests on my lap. I gaze out the window while we remain silent throughout the drive. I made efforts to safeguard the poster as I entered the school.

Most of the rain attack happened during my walk to the front door which caused me to enter the building soaking wet.

Her class only had twenty minutes remaining which made me forget to put on the sweatshirt. The poster remained draped across my arm as I sprinted inside.

The front lobby remained vacant because all students were attending their classes.

My gaze rose upwards as water trickled from my hair and moved down my face. I attempted to dry it off but failed because my shirt was transparent which fortunately did not damage the poster.

After placing the poster down, I quickly wore the sweatshirt and then caught up to Jaxon who stood halfway down the hall.

As I walk next to him, I whisper, "Great job waiting, jerk." He responds while speeding up that I never requested his help.

I sneaked at his behavior before taking off faster and I reminded him that he claimed he didn't want to go to school. I argue back.

"I compromised, actually," he points out.

"How so?" I pressed him. He chuckles as he says he will remain for twenty minutes before leaving me here.

After listening to his words, I formulate an idea because remaining in her class is completely out of the question for me.

I had none of my stuff.

I extend the poster towards him while saying "Here." You can deliver the speech by holding this poster. He rolls his eyes and predictably grabs the poster from my hands without a second thought. But now let's discuss your attempt to abandon me here." I stopped talking.

"Which I am." he butts in.

You could leave me here if you have your keys. I shrugged.

"What–"

I snatched the keys from his hand and sprint down the hall. The sound of him running toward me reaches my ears when I turn the corner.

I reached class after gasping for air and stumbling. The applause filled my ears just before someone bumped me from behind.

Jaxon extended his arm over my shoulder to remove the keys from my grasp. After calming down somewhatI realized everyone was watching us. After completing their presentation Neha and Sabrina shot us both knowing glances before hiding their laughter.

I noticed Mrs. Lawson sitting in the corner as she attempted to hold a death stare at us because we interrupted.

I gave a dismissive shrug and expressed "Sorry" silently as I made my way to the back of the classroom while openly accepting the gazes.

We reached our seats when Mrs Lawson summoned us back. "If you want to arrive late to my class you can start presenting now," she said sternly to the pair before her.

The sternness in her voice was not intimidating but the possibility of receiving a low grade was. My overall grade wouldn't cHazelge from her bad grade, but I still didn't want it.

Sabrina's lack of assistance made me want to giggle when I observed both of their actions.

Mrs Lawson cleared her throat from the corner which helped me regain my composure. I caught Jaxon's attention with my glance, which signaled his moment to speak. I whispered "Go" though it sounded like nothing more than a weak breath.

Jaxon's voice filled the room and instantly captured everyone's attention when he said "Alright, well, you know how this goes." The cycle starts with birth then matures and eventually leads to sexual activity.

Pure amusement from the rest of the class erupts as I join them in laughter. I found Neha's reaction hysterical, but Mrs. Lawson appeared displeased.

"Alright, Jaxon. You two can sit down."

"But I haven't even finished!" he argued.

"Sit. She maintained her composure when she demanded "Down" but her voice revealed irritation. He stared at me while his eyes opened wider as he executed a triumpHazelt bow.

God, I can't believe him.

"Are you insane?" I hushed and whispered to him. Em, I finished what I needed to do so it doesn't matter anymore. He makes fun of me while pushing my head toward our seats during our walk.

I settled into my seat and adjusted my hood as I sighed. I extended my arms across my chest while my head rested on the table as I leaned forward. The amount of sleep I got failed to prevent my tiredness. Our performance ended and silence fell over the room which led to us giving the final presentation. I reluctantly conceded that Jaxon's argument was correct.

This sweatshirt did nothing to keep me warm. Without his help I wouldn't know how to handle the situation.

Probably complain.

After some time had passed, I sensed an object being set before me. I opened my eyes to see his phone which displayed an active text message.

Mom: I want you two here by 4:30

I returned his phone to his hand while softly expressing my consent. I moved my arms into a more comfortable position before shutting my eyes once more.

A tap to my arm broke my focus before I could settle back down. "Em, let's go," he whispered. I rotated my head towards him while my eyes opened as if waking from sleep.

"What?"

He instructed me to follow him before scooting his chair back and standing up.

He requested permission to use the restroom before quickly exiting the classroom. The outcome of this situation was clear to me yet required me to respond appropriately.

After waiting a couple of minutes more I raised my hand. "Yes?" Mrs Lawson responded with clear reluctance when she asked my question. "Can I go to the bathroom?" I asked, obviously not needing to.

As I asked to go to the bathroom she lifted her brow in doubt over my request's validity. I remained quietly hoping for her permission even though there was no valid reason to deny my request.

I added "please" to my request while giving her a concerned look to strengthen my persuasion. "Fine." she huffed, sitting back in her seat.

Before leaving the classroom, I gave myself a silent round of applause. Once I confirmed that I was hidden from sight I quickly moved down the hallway. I opened the front door with a smile and stepped outside. The moment I began lifting my hood I heard someone call my name.

"Emerson!"

I descended the steps quickly and scanned the area to locate whoever had been calling my name. Someone appeared outside and my smile weakened as they approached me.

Not him.

The sweatshirt confirmed my recognition of them right away. "Alec..." I dragged out his name. As he approached me I almost saw disappointment appearing on his face. "You were correct about her," he began.

Oh boy.

I roll my eyes as I try to grasp what he's saying. "Of course I was." I sighed, crossing my arms.

The rain increased and I felt a strong desire to leave the area. I felt a strong urge to leave before learning where this conversation was headed. "Em, I'm so sorry. I messed up." he tries to form an apology.

His words don’t hold any merit for me. He feels sorry just because Savannah dumped him after only one week.

I swear she gets bored so quickly.

Her relationship with Felix lasted for a month and a half, which is not particularly long when you consider it.

"Alec. We broke up–"

"Yes, I know, and I made a mistake," he interrupted my words. His obnoxiousness persists even when he attempts to apologize.

At least let me finish a sentence.

"I messed up–"

The sound of a blaring horn interrupts him this time. My eyes squeezed tight as I turned to gaze through the falling rain.

It was Jaxon's car.

"We're over, Alec, okay? Let's leave it at that." I said, backing away from him.

I ran toward Jaxon's car while keeping my sweatshirt wrapped tightly around me. After entering the car, I closed the door and exhaled sharply.

"What'd he has to say?" he asked quickly.

I shut him down as quickly as he spoke.

"Nothing. Just drive. Please."

After fastening my seatbelt, I stared through the window while the vehicle fell quietly. After a brief pause, he drove away from the school.

I drove away from both people and particularly that specific conversation.